Electric Shaver With Imaging Capabtility
Patent No. US11297216 (titled "Electric Shaver With Imaging Capabtility") was filed by Volteon Llc on Sep 9, 2019.
What is this patent about?
’216 is related to the field of electric shavers and, more broadly, to personal care devices that benefit from improved visibility of the treatment area. Traditional electric shavers often obstruct the user's view of the skin being shaved, requiring reliance on mirrors which may be inconvenient or unavailable. This is especially problematic in areas with poor lighting or when precise shaving is desired.
The underlying idea behind ’216 is to integrate a digital camera into an electric shaver to provide a close-up view of the shaving area on a display. This allows the user to see the skin surface in real-time, improving shaving accuracy and convenience. The camera captures either still images or video, which is then transmitted to a display unit for viewing.
The claims of ’216 focus on a handheld device with two video cameras on opposite sides of the casing. These cameras capture video data, which is then multiplexed into a single signal and transmitted wirelessly via an antenna. The device is powered by a rechargeable battery and housed in a single, portable casing.
In practice, the shaver captures images from two cameras, combines them into a single video stream, and transmits it wirelessly to a display. This allows the user to see a wider area or potentially a stereoscopic view of the skin. The use of a wireless connection provides freedom of movement without the constraints of a cable.
This approach differs from prior solutions by integrating imaging directly into the shaver, rather than relying on external mirrors or separate camera systems. The use of two cameras and wireless transmission further enhances the user experience by providing a more comprehensive and convenient view of the shaving area. The multiplexed video stream allows for efficient transmission of data from both cameras.
How does this patent fit in bigger picture?
Technical landscape at the time
In the late 2000s when ’216 was filed, digital imaging was at a time when image sensors and processors were becoming more compact and power-efficient, making integration into portable devices feasible. Wireless communication technologies such as WLAN and WPAN were increasingly prevalent, enabling data transfer between devices. Powerline communication was also an option at a time when wired connectivity was still common, and when hardware or software constraints made video compression non-trivial for real-time applications.
Novelty and Inventive Step
The examiner allowed the claims because, after further search and examination, they were found to be in condition for allowance in light of the prior art and the applicant's arguments. Specifically, the Patent Trial and Appeal Board found that combining two references to arrive at the claimed invention would change the principle of operation of one of the references. Therefore, the combination would not render the claimed invention obvious.
Claims
This patent includes 46 claims, with claim 1 being the only independent claim. Independent claim 1 is directed to a handheld device with two cameras, a multiplexer, and a wireless transmitter within a single casing. The dependent claims generally elaborate on specific features, components, or functionalities of the handheld device described in the independent claim, such as camera lens types, multiplexer types, compression methods, wireless network standards, body care applications, video processing capabilities, display features, and digital video formats.
Key Claim Terms New
Definitions of key terms used in the patent claims.
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Date
Description
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US11297216
- Application Number
- US16563969
- Filing Date
- Sep 9, 2019
- Status
- Granted
- Expiry Date
- Jan 28, 2029
- External Links
- Slate, USPTO, Google Patents